Compositions and methods for plasmapheresis

Abstract

Described herein are compositions and methods for performing plasmapheresis. The compositions and methods for performing plasmapheresis are innovative at least in their application towards the treatment and prevention of aging and conditions associated with aging. Plasmapheresis compositions and methods described herein are directed towards reducing or eliminating conditions associated with aging.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for using plasmapheresis to reduce cellular senescence in an individual, comprising the steps of:
 (a) administering the plasmapheresis to the individual; (b) 
 (b) administering intravenous immunoglobulin to the individual; and 
 (c) measuring a level of a marker associated with cellular senescence in a blood sample from the individual following steps (a) and (b) to determine that the cellular senescence is reduced in the individual, the marker comprising one or more of: beta-galactosidase, H2AX, p16ink4a, p21, and p53. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cell in which the cellular senescence is reduced comprises a lymphocyte. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein a lymphocyte comprises a T-cell. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cell in which the cellular senescence is reduced comprises a monocyte. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cell in which the cellular senescence is reduced comprises a basophil. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cell in which the cellular senescence is reduced comprises a neutrophil. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cell in which the cellular senescence is reduced comprises an eosinophil. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the beta-galactosidase comprises senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (“SA-β-gal”). 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intravenous immunoglobulin administration of step (b) occurs within 24 hours of the plasmapheresis administration in step (a). 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intravenous immunoglobulin is administered in an amount of about 2 grams per kilogram of a body weight of the individual. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plasmapheresis that is administered in step (a) is administered over a plurality of treatment sessions. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein two treatment sessions of the plurality of treatment sessions are administered within 72 hours of each other. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plasmapheresis that is administered in step (a) is administered over a single treatment session. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of the marker associated with the cellular senescence is measured using flow cytometry. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of the marker associated with the cellular senescence is measured using a fluorescent conjugated antibody. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intravenous immunoglobulin administration of step (b) occurs following the plasmapheresis administration of step (a). 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the intravenous immunoglobulin administration of step (b) occurs during a same treatment session as the plasmapheresis administration of step (a).